Starmer ‘increasingly concerned’ about countries using proxies for criminal activity in UK
Sir Keir Starmer has expressed “growing concern” about the use of proxies by foreign governments in criminal activities in the UK, following his visit to the London synagogue that was hit by an arson attack.
The Prime Minister visited the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, north-west London, which was attacked on Saturday.
The incident is one of a series of arson attacks on Jewish community sites in the capital.
Other targets since the end of March have included Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, another synagogue and a former Jewish charity.
During this period, a drone was also flown near the Israeli embassy.
Speaking at Kenton United Synagogue on Thursday afternoon, the Prime Minister said: “We have to deal with malicious state actors that require legislation.
“We’re going to push this legislation. It’s really important that we do that. It’s very important in this particular context because I’m increasingly concerned that some countries are using proxies for attacks in this country.”
“It’s very, very important that the counter-terrorism police and the police work with the CST on this, but we need to move forward on both fronts.”
A 17-year-old boy admitted the attack in Harrow and admitted arson did not endanger life at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
The name of the young British citizen, who comes from Brent, northwest of London, was not given due to his age.
The footage was posted online and shows a dark-clothed figure setting a bottle of liquid on fire and throwing it through the window of the synagogue.
Jewish charity Community Security Trust said there was minor smoke damage to one of the interior rooms, but there were no injuries or serious structural damage.
The defendant was released on bail and will appear at Willesden Youth Court on 4 June.
The Metropolitan Police said a 19-year-old man arrested following the attack was released on bail pending further investigation.
More to follow…
